QUESTIONS ON THE 2018 RESPONSE APPLICATION …

1 FIREFIGHTER SELECTION process - Frequently Asked QUESTIONS (FAQ) Rev. 1/19/18 QUESTIONS ON THE 2018 APPLICATION process RESPONSE 1. What is the FCA? The FCA or Firefighter candidate assessment is a computer-based test battery consisting of two parts; a multimedia assessment and a self-description component. In the multimedia portion, candidates respond to audio and video cues on the computer. In the self-description component, candidates define themselves by responding to biographical, situational, and work attitude items. Under the 2018 APPLICATION process , you must achieve a passing score on the FCA in order to be considered in the next phase in the selection process for the position of Firefighter with the City of Los Angeles. Even though a passing score on the FCA is required, you do not have to wait until you receive your score to apply. The APPLICATION period is from March 5, 2018 through June 29, 2018 .

2 2. Do I need to retake the FCA if I achieved a passing score in 2016? Candidates may use their passing FCA score from 2016 to satisfy the 2018 FCA requirement. This means that candidates with a passing FCA score from 2016 do NOT need to retake the FCA for the 2018 selection process , but still must submit an APPLICATION from March 5, 2018 through June 29, 2018 . The City Personnel Department will identify your 2016 FCA score after you have submitted an APPLICATION . 3. How much does the FCA exam cost? The fee for the FCA is $69, and is payable to the vendor, PSI. See their website: for registration information. Payment of fees may be made by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover), money order, or cashier s check. CASH AND PERSONAL CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED WALK-IN TESTING IS NOT AVAILABLE 4. What if I can t afford the $69 for the FCA test?

3 Test fee waivers are available to those of limited means who qualify. Please visit the PSI ( ) and/or websites for information on how to apply for the fee waiver. You must fill out a fee waiver APPLICATION and submit it to the City Personnel Department as instructed. 5. If I register for the FCA and pay, but later get approved for a fee waiver, will I receive a refund? Yes, if you pay for the FCA and are later approved for a fee waiver, PSI will refund the account used to pay for your registration. Further information will be provided to you if you are determined to be eligible for a fee waiver. FIREFIGHTER SELECTION process - Frequently Asked QUESTIONS (FAQ) Rev. 1/19/18 6. If I register for the FCA and pay, but I am unable to take the exam, will I receive a refund? No. If you pay for the exam and later decide not to take it, you will not receive a refund. Also, if you do not cancel your appointment at least 24 hours before the scheduled FCA date and time you will forfeit your FCA fee.

4 Information on how to reschedule your exam within PSI s required timeframe will be posted on the PSI registration page. 7. If I register for the FCA and pay, but I forgot to take the FCA, will I receive a refund? No. You will forfeit your FCA fee if: You do not cancel your appointment at least 24 hours before the scheduled FCA date and time; You do not appear for your FCA appointment; You arrive after the FCA start time; You do not present proper identification when you arrive for the examination. 8. Who can I contact if I am having trouble registering for the FCA? You may email PSI at to notify them of your issue. 9. How do I schedule the FCA if I live outside of California? You must complete the last page of the candidate Information Bulletin, which can be found at . Then you submit the page to PSI via fax to (360) 294-3851 or email to 10. Do I need a government to take the FCA?

5 You MUST have a valid State or Federal issued photo identification card with a signature, with you in order to be tested. If you do not have a valid State or Federal issued photo identification card with a signature with you, you WILL NOT be allowed to take the test and you will forfeit the registration fee. 11. Under the process of the 2018 APPLICATION process , can I change my test or interview date if I am going to be out of town? Applicants scheduled for the FCA must contact PSI at to request to be rescheduled. While the FCA is one of the requirements you must meet in order to apply, the first test in the civil service examination for Firefighter is the Interview. If you are unable to appear at your scheduled interview time, please call (213) 473-9060. Under Personnel Department Policy 19, candidates in OPEN exams may request a late test only if they are unable to take it as scheduled because of religious beliefs, an error by Personnel Department staff, or military commitment.

6 FIREFIGHTER SELECTION process - Frequently Asked QUESTIONS (FAQ) Rev. 1/19/18 12. How soon after I take the FCA will I receive my score? Applicants can expect to receive scores from PSI approximately six to twelve weeks after taking the exam.* *Scores are sent via USPS mail only, unless candidate completes a waiver to allow scores to be sent via email. 13. What if I don t receive my score by the APPLICATION deadline on June 29, 2018 ? Even if you do not have your score by the APPLICATION deadline, June 29, 2018 , you must apply before the deadline in order to be considered for the next step in the selection process . Candidates may submit a City APPLICATION prior to registering for the FCA. 14. How often may I take the FCA? You may only take the FCA one time for this exam administration. If you fail the FCA, you will not be able to move forward in the selection process .

7 You may submit a request for e-mail notification when the Firefighter position with the City of LA is offered again. Go to the website and follow the instructions at 15. I received a passing score on the FCA. What is the next step? You also need to submit an APPLICATION at by June 29, 2018 . The next step is waiting to be selected in a Stratified Random Sample to participate in the interview. We cannot advise on when you will be invited to the interview. 16. Will I be selected to interview sooner if I receive a high FCA score? No, only a passing score is required. Please see question #18 for a description of the Stratified Random Sampling strategy we use to move candidates forward in the selection process . FIREFIGHTER SELECTION process - Frequently Asked QUESTIONS (FAQ) Rev. 1/19/18 17. If I submit the City of Los Angeles Firefighter APPLICATION before registering for the FCA, do I need to update my APPLICATION later to include my FCA score once I receive it?

8 No, you do not need to update your APPLICATION with your FCA score. This will be completed by the City of Los Angeles Personnel Department. 18. What is Stratified Random Sampling (SRS)? Being a Firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department is a highly desirable and rewarding career, and there are always many thousands of applicants competing for only a few hundred Firefighter jobs. Because the LAFD s hiring needs do not require thousands of applicants to be processed, applicants are selected to move forward in the selection process using stratified random sampling. The stratified random sampling method involves randomly sampling from the applicant pool to produce a smaller group of applicants that is demographically proportionate to the original pool of applicants. For example, if 10% of the total number of applicants are Female Hispanic, 10% of the smaller group of applicants invited to interview will be from the Female Hispanic group.

9 Regarding the number of applicants that will be drawn from the applicant pool, consideration will be given to the number of candidates necessary to be examined that would result in a sufficient number of eligibles on the list to satisfy the hiring needs of the Fire Department. Applicants who are not invited to interview will be considered in the next rounds of sampling under this job bulletin. 19. What are the requirements to become a firefighter (under the 2018 APPLICATION process )? 1. At least 18 years of age at the time of APPLICATION , and 2. Graduation from a high school or equivalent, or equivalent from a institution, or a California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) certificate is required, and 3. Achievement of a passing score on the FIREFIGHTER candidate assessment (FCA) in order to be considered in the next phase of the selection process .

10 Information on how to register to take the FCA is available at and at NOTES: 1. FIREFIGHTER candidate assessment FIREFIGHTER SELECTION process - Frequently Asked QUESTIONS (FAQ) Rev. 1/19/18 (FCA): To meet the FCA requirement, you must register and take the FCA during the testing period. FCA registration will start on Monday, March 5, 2018 , and will be available until Friday, June 29, 2018 . candidate must also submit a City APPLICATION during the APPLICATION filing period. Candidates may submit the APPLICATION prior to registering for the FCA. 2. A passing score on the FCA taken from February 2016 through January 2017 satisfies the FCA requirement. If you previously achieved a passing score on the FCA, you must submit a City APPLICATION , but you do NOT need to retake the FCA. 3. All information on the FCA, including cost, tutorial assistance, the registration process , and low-income voucher qualification is available at and at 4.